About us

Live with Joy, Purpose and Confidence

Within you lie vast, untapped possibilities waiting to be discovered. Through The Happiness Retreat you’ll learn practical and powerful techniques that will enable you to gain a greater vision of who you are and benefit you for the rest of your life. You will find yourself enabled to create a more joyous, purposeful life, and gain the confidence to stretch and grow beyond limiting beliefs

In today’s demanding, distracting world your mind can be stuck in the past or in the future. But happiness is here in the present moment. It cannot be experienced when you’re regretting yesterday or worried about tomorrow. During The Happiness Retreat you’ll reconnect with your unlimited power and freedom — not as a concept, but as a direct experience.

Sudarshan Kriya®

The centerpiece of The Happiness Retreat is Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that uses specific, natural rhythms to not only release stress at the deepest level, but also balance and integrate mind, body and heart.

Your course will also include:

Stretching and low-impact yoga for health, circulation, and physical well-being.

Guided meditation and breathing techniques that increase energy and deeply relax the body and mind.

Skills for handling negative emotions and situations.

Practical wisdom for improving focus at work and harmony in relationships.

Guided interactive processes

1-hour Pottery Class* (Shipping/Glazing fee not included)

1-hour Guided Hike* (Weather permitting)

*Participants are strongly encouraged to book these activities prior to arriving on-site.

Health Benefits

Research has demonstrated that Sudarshan Kriya and the related practices you’ll learn can bring about the following benefits:

Can significantly reduce (the stress hormone) cortisol

Are effective in relieving depression and anxiety

Help to restore normal sleep patterns, and

Increase prolactin (the hormone associated with well-being)

By the end of the course you’ll be equipped with specific techniques that you can practice every day. The value of these practices is both cumulative and immediate; you can look forward to continued and increasing benefits. You’ll also have access to ongoing follow-up programs which take place all over the world.

Please note that it’s required to attend all sessions of the course.

If you’re a licensed professional in a health-related field you may be able to earn continuing education units for attending The Happiness Retreat. Please contact Art of Living Foundation’s CEU Administrator for additional information on this at finance@us.artofliving.org.

About the
Venue

Seated high in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat Center and Ayurvedic Spa provides a beautiful, inviting place for all people to deepen their spiritual practice. Founded by renown humanitarian leader and spiritual teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, our center offers Art of Living courses and hosts programs taught by other spiritual leaders and organizations from around the world. We also welcome individuals seeking good company, as well as those seeking space and sweet solitude. Our guests have the opportunity to enjoy guided meditation, yoga, philosophy workshops, spa treatments, group ceremonies, celebrations, nature walks, and much more. With breathtaking natural beauty, knowledgable staff and harmonious architecture, our center offers a wondrous opportunity to nurture your body, mind and spirit -- and to discover the joy of life.

Thank you!

Why Retreat?

We asked people why they go on retreat, here's what they said:

To bring my friend and open her world to the gift of yoga.
Denise

Retreat Guru's Vision

We believe human beings are innately wise, strong and kind. This wisdom, although not always experienced, is always present. Going on retreat is a beautiful way to reconnect to our basic sanity and health. Our aspiration at Retreat Guru is to inspire people to experience authentic retreats and reconnect with their innate wisdom, strength and kindness.